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Coordinates: 39°03′28″S 174°01′38″E / 39.05778°S 174.02722°E / -39.05778; 174.02722
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{{Infobox power station
{{Short description|Closed power station in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
⚫
| name = New Plymouth Power Station
{{Infobox power station
| official_name =
|image = NewPlymouthPowerStation200801.jpg
| name = New Plymouth Power Station
|image_caption = NPPS from the sea
| name_official =
| image = NewPlymouthPowerStation200801.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = The power station from the sea
| location_map = New Zealand
| image_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|39|03|28|S|174|01|38|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location_map_width =
⚫
| country = New Zealand
| location_map_text =
| location = [[Port Taranaki]], [[New Plymouth]], [[Taranaki Region|Taranaki]]
|lat_d = 39|lat_m = 03|lat_s = 28|lat_NS = S
⚫
| status = D
|long_d = 174|long_m = 01|long_s = 38|long_EW = E
⚫
| construction_began =
| coordinates_type = type:landmark
⚫
| commissioned = {{start date|1974}}
| coordinates_display= inline,title
⚫
| decommissioned = {{end date|2008}}
| coordinates_ref =
| country = [[New Zealand]]
| cost =
| locale = [[Port Taranaki]], [[New Plymouth]], [[Taranaki Region|Taranaki]]
| owner = [[Port Taranaki]]
| status = D
| th_fuel_primary = [[Natural gas]]
⚫
| th_fuel_secondary = [[Fuel oil]]
⚫
| construction_began =
| th_fuel_tertiary =
⚫
| commissioned = {{start date|1974}}
| ps_units_operational= 5
| licence_expires =
⚫
| ps_units_manu_model = [[C. A. Parsons and Company|C A Parsons]]
⚫
| decommissioned = {{end date|2008}}
| cost =
| ps_cogeneration =
| ps_combined_cycle =
| owner = [[Contact Energy]]
⚫
| ps_electrical_capacity= 600 MW
| primary_fuel = [[Natural gas]]
| ps_electrical_cap_fac=
⚫
| secondary_fuel = [[Fuel oil]]
| tertiary_fuel =
| website =
⚫
| extra =
| generation_units = 5
⚫
| turbine_manu_other = [[C. A. Parsons and Company|C A Parsons]]
| thermal_power_all =
| cogeneration_all = No
| combined_cycle = No
| ghg_emission =
⚫
| installed_capacity = 600 MW
| max_planned_cap =
| capacity_factor =
| average_annual_gen =
| net_generation =
| website =
⚫
| as_of =
⚫
| extra =
}}
}}
The '''New Plymouth Power Station''' (NPPS) was a 600 MW [[thermal power station]] at [[New Plymouth]]. Located at [[Port Taranaki]], it was dual fuelled on [[natural gas]] and [[fuel oil]]. Constructed at a time of major hydro and HV transmission developments, it was New Zealand's first big thermal power station planned for continuous base load operation.<ref name="TNL1974" />
The '''New Plymouth Power Station''' ('''NPPS''') was a 600 MW [[thermal power station]] at [[New Plymouth]], New Zealand, that operated from 1974 to 2008. Located at [[Port Taranaki]], it was dual fuelled on [[natural gas]] and [[fuel oil]]. Constructed at a time of major hydro and HV transmission developments, it was New Zealand's first big thermal power station planned for continuous [[base load|baseload]] operation.<ref name="TNL1974" />

⚫
The plant has been owned and operated (in turn) by NZED, NZE, [[Electricity Corporation of New Zealand|ECNZ]] and [[Contact Energy]]. In 2013, the site was sold to Port Taranaki and [[Methanex]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8794679/Land-purchase-powers-ports-big-plans | title=Land purchase powers port's big plans |date=14 June 2013 |first=Matt |last=Rilkoff |publisher=Taranaki Daily News}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The power station project commenced in the 1960s, to meet rising electricity demand in [[New Zealand]]. Initially, fuel for this power station was to be coal, barged up from the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]], and the [[Port Taranaki]] site was chosen ahead of one at [[Wanganui]]. During early stages of the project, the [[Maui gas field]] was discovered off [[Taranaki Region|Taranaki]]. The plant design was changed to be dual fuel on either natural gas or heavy fuel oil.
The power station project commenced in the 1960s, to meet rising electricity demand in [[New Zealand]]. Initially, fuel for this power station was to be coal, barged up from the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]], and the [[Port Taranaki]] site was chosen ahead of one at [[Wanganui]]. During early stages of the project, the [[Maui gas field]] was discovered off [[Taranaki Region|Taranaki]]. The plant design was changed to be dual fuel on either natural gas or heavy fuel oil.


The first unit was commissioned in February 1974,<ref name="TNL1974" /> with the fifth unit coming on line in 1976. For the first few years, the plant ran on raw [[Kapuni]] gas, converting to Maui gas in 1979.
The first unit was commissioned in February 1974,<ref name="TNL1974" /> with the fifth unit coming on line in 1976. For the first few years, the plant ran on raw [[Kapuni]] gas. In 1979, the plant converted to Maui gas following the completion of the pipeline from Oaonui production station. The pipeline from Kapuni was re-purposed to supply Maui gas to Kapuni and onwards to the lower North Island.


The fuel oil capability was decommissioned in 1991, and reinstated in 2003.
The fuel oil capability was decommissioned in 1991, and reinstated in 2003.


Plant operation generally decreased from 1999, after the more efficient [[Otahuhu Power Station|Otahuhu]] [[combined cycle]] power station was commissioned. However, the New Zealand power system derives over 60% of its electricity supply from hydro power stations and depends heavily on rainfall. NPPS has often played a vital role in dry years (such as 2001 and 2003), when hydro lake inflows were insufficient to meet demand.
Plant operation generally decreased from 1999, after the more efficient [[Otahuhu Power Station|Otahuhu]] [[combined cycle]] power station was commissioned. However, the New Zealand power system derives over 60% of its electricity supply from hydro power stations and depends heavily on rainfall. NPPS has often played a vital role in dry years (such as 2001, 2003 and 2008), when hydro lake inflows were insufficient to meet demand.


Discovery of [[asbestos]], not in an asbestos register, in thermal insulation during 2007 led to the decision by [[Contact Energy]] to close the power station.
Discovery of [[asbestos]], not in an asbestos register, in thermal insulation during 2007 led to the decision by [[Contact Energy]] to close the power station.


In May 2008, one 100 MW unit (unit 3) was temporarily recommissioned. This was in response to a nation-wide electricity generation shortfall resulting from low hydro lake levels.<ref>{{cite web | title = New Plymouth power station recommissioned | publisher = Dominion Post |author= | date = 2008-05-29 | url = http://www.mercury.co.nz/News/news_story.aspx?id=967 | accessdate = 2008-09-29}}</ref> This unit was shut down for decommissioning in December 2008.
In May 2008, one generating unit (unit 3) was temporarily recommissioned, with a capacity of 100MW. This was in response to a nationwide electricity generation shortfall resulting from low hydro lake levels and is generally regarded as one of the most critical energy decisions ever made in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web | title = New Plymouth power station recommissioned | publisher = Dominion Post | date = 2008-05-29 | url = http://www.mercury.co.nz/News/news_story.aspx?id=967 | accessdate = 2008-09-29 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015110222/http://mercury.co.nz/News/news_story.aspx?id=967 | archivedate = 2008-10-15 }}</ref> This unit was shut down for decommissioning in December 2008.


In 2013, most of the site was sold to Port Taranaki, with Methanex purchasing a part of the site that held methanol tanks. In 2014 and 2015, the power station equipment was removed and the boiler house demolished, with all the plant, piping and structure being sold as scrap metal.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://natlib.govt.nz/items/22674469| title=New Plymouth Power Station| publisher=National Library of New Zealand}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/69407009/| title=Port Taranaki begins demolishing massive power station boiler room| date=15 June 2015| publisher=Taranaki Daily News}}</ref>
The plant has been owned and operated (in turn) by NZED, NZE, [[Electricity Corporation of New Zealand|ECNZ]] and [[Contact Energy]].


The national grid substation at the site remained in operation as part of the supply to the New Plymouth area until a network re-inforcement was completed to allow the substation to be de-commissioned.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burroughs |first=David |date=20 September 2017 |title=Powerco to lay 9.2km of underground cables as part of $11m project |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/97048037/powerco-to-lay-92km-of-underground-cables-as-part-of-11m-project |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> The transmission lines that previously connected the substation and power station to the national grid were eventually removed in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2023 |title=Power pylons to be taken down in New Plymouth suburb won't be missed by residents |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/495400/power-pylons-to-be-taken-down-in-new-plymouth-suburb-won-t-be-missed-by-residents |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>
⚫
In 2012, Contact Energy announced the sale of the site to [[Port Taranaki]] and [[Methanex]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/8036312/Power-station-sold-off| title=Power station sold off| date=5 December 2012| first=Matt| last=Rilkoff| publisher=Taranaki Daily News}}</ref>


==Plant==
==Plant==
The power station comprised five identical units, each rated at 120 MW. The boilers were provided by ICL of Derby UK, and the steam turbines were by [[C. A. Parsons and Company|C A Parsons]] of Newcastle, UK.<ref name="TNL1974">{{cite news|title=Power from New Plymouth|publisher=Taranaki Newspapers Limited|date=February 1974}}</ref>
The power station comprised five identical units, each rated at 120 MW. The boilers were provided by ICL of Derby UK, and the steam turbines were by [[C. A. Parsons and Company|C A Parsons]] of Newcastle, UK.<ref name="TNL1974">{{cite news|title=Power from New Plymouth|publisher=Taranaki Newspapers Limited|date=February 1974}}</ref>


The boilers are balanced draught with tilting burners mounted in the corners of the furnace. Each boiler produces 376 tonnes/hour of steam at 120 bar and 538°C, with one stage of reheat to 538°C.
The boilers were balanced draught with tilting burners mounted in the corners of the furnace. Each boiler produced 376 tonnes/hour of steam at 120 bar and 538&nbsp;°C, with one stage of reheat to 538&nbsp;°C.


The steam turbines are 3000 rpm single-shaft, three-cylinder (HP, IP and LP) design, with six stages of feed heating. Condenser is a two-pass tubed design, using seawater as the coolant. The generators are two-poled, hydrogen cooled.
The steam turbines are 3000 rpm single-shaft, three-cylinder (HP, IP and LP) design, with six stages of feed heating. The condenser is a two-pass tubed design, using seawater as the coolant. The generators are two-poled, hydrogen cooled.


Condenser cooling is seawater, with a flow of 12,000 tonnes/hour for each unit.
Condenser cooling is seawater, with a flow of 12,000 tonnes/hour for each unit.


The chimney is 198 m high, and contains five flues.
The chimney is 198&nbsp;m (650&nbsp;ft) high, and contains five flues. It is the second tallest structure in New Zealand.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of power stations in New Zealand]]
*[[List of power stations in New Zealand]]
*[[Electricity sector in New Zealand]]
*[[Electricity sector in New Zealand]]
*[[List of tallest structures in New Zealand]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*{{cite book | editor=Martin, John E | title=People, Power and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880 - 1990| location=Wellington| publisher= Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand| year=1991 | id=ISBN 0-908912-16-1| pages = 316 pages.}}
*{{cite book | editor=Martin, John E | title=People, Power and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880 – 1990| location=Wellington| publisher= Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand| year=1991 | isbn=0-908912-16-1| pages = 316 pages.}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|New Plymouth Power Station}}
* [http://www.contactenergy.co.nz/web/view?page=/contentiw/pages/shared/powerstations&vert=au Contact Energy website]
* [http://www.porttaranaki.co.nz/ Port Taranaki]



⚫
{{New Plymouth District}}


[[Category:Natural gas-fired power stations in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Natural gas-fired power stations in New Zealand]]
⚫
[[Category:New Plymouth District]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in New Plymouth]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in New Plymouth]]
[[Category:Oil-fired power stations in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Oil-fired power stations in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Former oil-fired power stations]]

[[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1974]]
[[fr:Centrale thermique de New Plymouth]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:2008 disestablishments in New Zealand]]

Latest revision as of 04:05, 22 November 2024

New Plymouth Power Station
The power station from the sea
Map
CountryNew Zealand
LocationPort Taranaki, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Coordinates39°03′28″S 174°01′38″E / 39.05778°S 174.02722°E / -39.05778; 174.02722
StatusDecommissioned
Commission date1974 (1974)
Decommission date2008 (2008)
OwnerPort Taranaki
Thermal power station
Primary fuelNatural gas
Secondary fuelFuel oil
Power generation
Units operational5
Make and modelC A Parsons
Nameplate capacity600 MW
External links
CommonsRelated media on Commons
[edit on Wikidata]

The New Plymouth Power Station (NPPS) was a 600 MW thermal power station at New Plymouth, New Zealand, that operated from 1974 to 2008. Located at Port Taranaki, it was dual fuelled on natural gas and fuel oil. Constructed at a time of major hydro and HV transmission developments, it was New Zealand's first big thermal power station planned for continuous baseload operation.[1]

The plant has been owned and operated (in turn) by NZED, NZE, ECNZ and Contact Energy. In 2013, the site was sold to Port Taranaki and Methanex.[2]

History

[edit]

The power station project commenced in the 1960s, to meet rising electricity demand in New Zealand. Initially, fuel for this power station was to be coal, barged up from the West Coast, and the Port Taranaki site was chosen ahead of one at Wanganui. During early stages of the project, the Maui gas field was discovered off Taranaki. The plant design was changed to be dual fuel on either natural gas or heavy fuel oil.

The first unit was commissioned in February 1974,[1] with the fifth unit coming on line in 1976. For the first few years, the plant ran on raw Kapuni gas. In 1979, the plant converted to Maui gas following the completion of the pipeline from Oaonui production station. The pipeline from Kapuni was re-purposed to supply Maui gas to Kapuni and onwards to the lower North Island.

The fuel oil capability was decommissioned in 1991, and reinstated in 2003.

Plant operation generally decreased from 1999, after the more efficient Otahuhu combined cycle power station was commissioned. However, the New Zealand power system derives over 60% of its electricity supply from hydro power stations and depends heavily on rainfall. NPPS has often played a vital role in dry years (such as 2001, 2003 and 2008), when hydro lake inflows were insufficient to meet demand.

Discovery of asbestos, not in an asbestos register, in thermal insulation during 2007 led to the decision by Contact Energy to close the power station.

In May 2008, one generating unit (unit 3) was temporarily recommissioned, with a capacity of 100MW. This was in response to a nationwide electricity generation shortfall resulting from low hydro lake levels and is generally regarded as one of the most critical energy decisions ever made in New Zealand.[3] This unit was shut down for decommissioning in December 2008.

In 2013, most of the site was sold to Port Taranaki, with Methanex purchasing a part of the site that held methanol tanks. In 2014 and 2015, the power station equipment was removed and the boiler house demolished, with all the plant, piping and structure being sold as scrap metal.[4][5]

The national grid substation at the site remained in operation as part of the supply to the New Plymouth area until a network re-inforcement was completed to allow the substation to be de-commissioned.[6] The transmission lines that previously connected the substation and power station to the national grid were eventually removed in 2023.[7]

Plant

[edit]

The power station comprised five identical units, each rated at 120 MW. The boilers were provided by ICL of Derby UK, and the steam turbines were by C A Parsons of Newcastle, UK.[1]

The boilers were balanced draught with tilting burners mounted in the corners of the furnace. Each boiler produced 376 tonnes/hour of steam at 120 bar and 538 °C, with one stage of reheat to 538 °C.

The steam turbines are 3000 rpm single-shaft, three-cylinder (HP, IP and LP) design, with six stages of feed heating. The condenser is a two-pass tubed design, using seawater as the coolant. The generators are two-poled, hydrogen cooled.

Condenser cooling is seawater, with a flow of 12,000 tonnes/hour for each unit.

The chimney is 198 m (650 ft) high, and contains five flues. It is the second tallest structure in New Zealand.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Power from New Plymouth". Taranaki Newspapers Limited. February 1974.
  2. ^ Rilkoff, Matt (14 June 2013). "Land purchase powers port's big plans". Taranaki Daily News.
  3. ^ "New Plymouth power station recommissioned". Dominion Post. 2008-05-29. Archived from the original on 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  4. ^ "New Plymouth Power Station". National Library of New Zealand.
  5. ^ "Port Taranaki begins demolishing massive power station boiler room". Taranaki Daily News. 15 June 2015.
  6. ^ Burroughs, David (20 September 2017). "Powerco to lay 9.2km of underground cables as part of $11m project". Stuff. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Power pylons to be taken down in New Plymouth suburb won't be missed by residents". RNZ. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Martin, John E, ed. (1991). People, Power and Power Stations: Electric Power Generation in New Zealand 1880 – 1990. Wellington: Bridget Williams Books Ltd and Electricity Corporation of New Zealand. pp. 316 pages. ISBN 0-908912-16-1.
[edit]
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